CAMPAIGNERS have urged families to boycott Amazon on Black Friday as they staged a series of protests against the global giant.

Yesterday, Extinction Rebellion Southend held protests as they took a stand at Southend Airport, Amazon in Basildon and Leigh town centre – all in a bid to encourage residents to “shop local”.

The group also called for Amazon cargo flights – which take place nightly at Southend Airport – to be scrapped to help “save the planet”.

Each location saw campaigners focus on a different issue, with masked protestors holding bright banners aloft.

In Leigh, campaigners called for residents to support small businesses, in Basildon the focus was pushing for “green jobs” and the airport protest focussed on the controversial night flights.

Organiser Cate Willoughby, says people living in the flight path of Southend Airport have had their lives disrupted by the “needless night flights”,

She said: “Amazon’s target is to be net zero by 2040, but the planet needs big polluters to act now, not in 20 years.

“Strange, as it’s all for acting fast when it comes to delivery times. Their emphasis on inhumanly fast turnaround puts terrible pressure on its staff, and also on people living in the flight path of Southend Airport, depriving them of sleep and adding to that hefty emissions total.

“There is little thought for smaller, local shops and businesses, many of whom have been left on a knife edge by the second coronavirus lockdown.

“They aim to sell everything, everywhere, cheaper, and small bookshops, toy shops, gift shops and craft makers can’t compete and still stay in business.”

She added: “If we want to see those talented local shops and makers still with us in Southend come 2021, this Christmas we should buy fewer gifts of better quality from close to home.

“Local-made gifts are unique, with a story behind them- they tell someone you looked hard for something special.”

Alan Dadswell, managing director at Toys ‘N’ Tuck, says the Southend store will be lucky to take 15 per cent of what they did in sales this time last year.

He added: “November is normally a big month for us, but this is the reality local shops have are facing at the moment.

“We are still shut due to the second lockdown and it has been difficult, but thankfully have been doing our click and collect service, delivery and we’ve got the website too.

“The trouble is, many are sitting at home bored and so there’s the temptation of shopping online and at big international chains.

“We’ve had so much support already and want to thank our customers for that - they’ve got us through this and I know we will survive. But it would be truly fantastic if people did come out and show their support for local stores, there are people struggling through.”

St Laurence Councillor, Daniel Cowan, added: “Your local shops are reinvesting back into services and employing local people, so visit your butchers, independent shop or bakery. They support us, now it’s time we support them.”

A spokesperson from Amazon, said: "Amazon has a strong track record of supporting our employees, our customers, and our communities, including providing safe working conditions, industry-leading pay and great benefits.

"Amazon is leading on climate change with the Climate Pledge commitment to be net zero carbon by 2040 – this includes a commitment to use 100 per cent renewable energy across our global businesses by 2025.

"Small and medium-sized third-party businesses account for more than half of all physical product sales on Amazon. Our commitment to our selling partners has never been more steadfast and in the lead up to Prime Day last month we held a small business promotion which helped drive the two biggest days ever for third party selling partners in the UK.”